South West England and South Wales mid-year report

Six months to July 2021

By Lee Thomas, LABC Warranty Business Development Manager

The market is strong across both regions but there are differing trends either side of Offa's Dyke. South Wales has primarily seen applications and orders for social housing (affordable rent and shared ownership) supported by the Welsh government's £200 million funding pipeline. Most of the housing associations in Wales are looking to double the output in the next 10 years or so.

It's not all great news. South Wales sadly lost one big housing contractor who entered into administration and this has naturally had a knock-on effect across the sector, leading to delays. Everyone is affected but like others in the supply chain, we press on to get these needed homes built.

In the South West of England, Cornwall has been the most active area. I don’t currently see any specific trends as orders have come from both contractors for social homes as well as many developers starting the initial phases of larger schemes.

Examples of developments in the region

Newland Homes

Old Pump House and Skylark Meadow

Both of these Newland Homes developments have won Site Recognition Awards from LABC Warranty thanks to their outstanding site management and workmanship.

On the former site of Bristol Water works, Old Pump House consists of 62 one, two, three and four bedroom homes within walking distance of the city centre.

On the edge of the Cotswolds, Skylark Meadow in Blunsdon features 37 three, four, and five-bedroom homes including 11 affordable units.

Heritage Homes

The Green at Holland Park, Exeter

The Green is one of a small but growing number of developments in the UK featuring homes built to A-rated EPC standards, with solar panels and underfloor heating.

The development, comprising more than 70 three and four bedroom homes, has recently won a Site Recognition Award from LABC Warranty to reflect the site's high standards and the excellent quality of workmanship.

The developer has previously won the Bricks Award in recognition of their works,

Morrish Homes

Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset

More than 30 years in the making, Poundbury is an extension to the Dorset town of Dorchester created from the mind of HRH, The Prince of Wales.

Extolling the virtues of using local trades people and self-sustaining communities, the area, once complete, will be home to about 5,800 people, growing Dorchester's population by a quarter.

LABC Warranty is working with developer Morrish Homes on the latest phase of this innovative development, involving the construction of 36 new homes in the Crown and Market Square area.

The next six months

I see the robust trend continuing through the remainder of 2021, with housing associations remaining very active across the region but especially in South Wales.

In perhaps a sign of things to come, two local authorities are looking to take a greater leading role in ensuring the quality of new homes built in their areas. This means that our building control partner Local Authority Building Control (LABC) are involved which in turn helps raise our profile with the potential of leading to more projects for LABC Warranty.

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